Hagemoen was serving as bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith when he received the “unexpected surprise” news from Pope Francis. The official announcement was made Sept. 12.

The new bishop said he is passionate about supporting Catholic education and furthering youth ministry. He also hopes to foster a deeper relationship with Indigenous Canadians.

Hagemoen was born and raised in Vancouver. Before entering St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ont., he spent one year travelling Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. He says his year of travelling was one of the factors that made him decide to join the priesthood.

“I was hungry and searching,” Hagemoen told The Catholic Register in an email. “The trip was about seeing other parts of the world but it was also about seeing other faiths. It was a time that I rediscovered and deepened my own faith. I also felt the ‘hound of heaven’ gently and persistently calling me to the priesthood.”

He was ordained in 1990 at the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Hagemoen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia as well as a National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies, a Diploma for Advanced Studies in Ministry and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Western University.

Hagemoen had been bishop at Mackenzie-Fort Smith — which covers much of Canada’s North — since October 2013.

The Archdiocese of Saskatoon has been without a bishop since former Bishop Donald Boen was inaugurated as the Archbishop of Regina. Reverend Kevin McGee has been serving as Diocesan Administrator of Saskatoon.

Hagemoen calls his new appointment bittersweet.

“Saying goodbye to the people of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese is going to be difficult,” said Hagemoen in a press release. “But the diocese of Saskatoon seems to be very dynamic, with rich history and a strong Catholic legacy. I am looking forward to contributing to that legacy with all my might and energy, as well as I can, with the help of almighty God.”

The Diocese of Saskatoon consists of 93 parishes and mission and has a Catholic population of 86,645.